Do I Have a Torn Ligament?

A torn ligament can happen in conjunction with a sprained wrist, typically when the wrist is bent backwards forcefully or put into an awkward position. This can happen during any sport such as gymnastics, soccer, football, etc. or simply during a fall. Ligaments are bands of tough connective tissue that connect two bones or hold together a joint. The most common ligament to be injured during a wrist sprain is the scapholunate ligament, which holds together the scaphoid and lunate bones.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a torn ligament in the wrist:

• Pain when bending the wrist backward
• Inability to move your wrist all the way around
• Bruising
• Pain and swelling on the backside of the wrist
• Popping or grinding sensation
• Weakness in the wrist

If you’re experiencing some or all of these symptoms, your scapholunate ligament may have been stretched or even completely torn. Do you have symptoms even though you didn’t fall or seemingly injure yourself? It’s very possible that your ligament is injured simply due to age, which comes with repeated strain on the ligament. You may also have another condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, than can cause your ligament to gradually deteriorate.

Visit a hand surgeon as soon as possible if you think you’ve injured or torn your ligament. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that you’ll have permanent damage in your wrist. Your hand surgeon will examine the wrist, potentially take an x-ray to assess the damage and may even use MRI. He/she may treat you in a number of ways including cortisone shots or surgery. A torn ligament may result in stiffness or even arthritis later on. Your hand surgeon can help with these problems as well.

Find a hand surgeon near you to seek treatment today.